![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Adithya Chengalvala, sophomore, is looking for results. Specifically he would like to see the end of global poverty.
To reach these goals, Chengalvala joined the international RESULTS group that teaches volunteers how to influence policy by contacting legislators about topics concerning poverty.
“We focus our efforts to improve global standards and domestic standards within the United States, whether it’s education, health, etc.” Chengalvala said.
Right now, members of the group are working on gaining co-signers in Congress for the End TB Now Act for global tuberculosis support and the READ Act Reauthorization Act for global education.
Volunteers of all ages can join either as regularly active members of a state or local group or just part of the action network for those who have limited time to dedicate.
As a regularly active member, Chengalvala, attended his first Zoom lobby meeting in September with an aide from Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt’s St. Louis office to talk about tuberculosis and improving education across the globe.
“It’s kind of hard because they’re very busy people. Even getting a meeting and giving them an opportunity to co-sponsor bills that we want to push, it’s a big thing,” Chengalvala said.
Chengalvala joined Results after hearing about it from a family friend who participates. His mother encouraged him to join after that.
“I saw their goals and standards, and it resonated with me. I’ve always had a zeal to help people, education-wise,” Chengalvala said.
Chengalvala joined the St. Louis Global Issues group of about 10 members in May of 2023, and met Cynthia Changyit Levin, the group co-leader.
For 15 years, Levin has worked as a volunteer for advocacy groups focused on poverty, global health and gun violence.
“It’s quite a significant achievement to step out of one’s comfort zone and speak to a congressional office,” Levin said. “Most American adults will never step up to have that experience, so I’m thrilled that Adithya is starting so early.”
Within the group, they also hold letter writing events where new and returning members write to local representatives advocating for legislation.
“There is so much in the news that is discouraging, but when someone joins our group, it’s a reminder that people really do want to be involved in making our country better,” Levin said.
Levin said volunteers can use the power of advocacy to create impacts like helping raise money for families and children in poverty around the world.
Katherine Bauman, social studies teacher, emphasizes the importance of students getting involved with the government.
“You can volunteer in political campaigns, canvassing and phone calls,” Bauman said. “You can write letters to your local legislators about issues, there’s all kinds of ways, but, of course, the most important way is to vote.”
Bauman said there are organizations in and out of school that get students involved with local and international issues. Some examples include Model United Nations and Civitas,a local political organization that is working with another organization, Immigrant Outreach, to help immigrants adapt to St. Louis.
“I think it’s excellent,” Bauman said about Chengalvala’s involvement in RESULTS. “I think that’s going to give them a very realistic picture of how the government influences their lives and that they can influence the government.”
This story was originally published on Marquette Messenger on October 27, 2023.